The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 3 letter word OWL
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
O
W
L
More clues leading to the result OWL
- Solemn person taking top off dish
- Solemn person starts to offer wise lessons
- Loud cry from Cockney bird
- Something that swoops near the ground, head right back
- Wise type, or headless chicken?
- See about eating with a wise-looking person
- Friend to bear down — head to the back
- Bird’s plaintive cry in East London
- Member of Parliament's a dish: bachelor knocked out
- Cry when husband leaves for a fly-by-night?
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Something that swoops" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case something that swoops = owl.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does OWL mean?
OWL noun- Any of various birds of prey of the order Strigiformes that are primarily nocturnal and have forward-looking, binocular vision, limited eye movement, and good hearing.
- (by extension) A person seen as having owl-like characteristics, especially appearing wise or serious, or being nocturnally active.
- The owl pigeon.
- A politician with moderate views that are neither hawkish nor dovish.
- Any of various nymphalid butterflies having large eyespots on the wings.
- To smuggle contraband goods.